Bixby is Samsung's voice assistant, and you can disable it in settings or remap its button
Bixby is the voice assistant that comes built into most Samsung phones. It launches when you press and hold the Bixby button (usually on the left side of your phone) or say "Hi Bixby" aloud. If you do not use it or find it launches by accident, you can turn it off entirely, disable just the voice wake-up, or remap the button to do something else instead.
The exact steps depend on which Samsung phone you have and which version of Android it runs, but the settings are always in the same general area. You do not need to uninstall anything or use a computer — everything happens in your phone's settings app.
Key Takeaways
- You can disable Bixby's voice wake-up ("Hi Bixby") separately from disabling the Bixby button itself.
- The Bixby button can be remapped to launch Google Assistant, the camera, or another app instead of Bixby.
- Turning off Bixby voice does not delete it — you can turn it back on anytime from the same settings menu.
- If you have an older Samsung phone, the button remap option may not exist, but you can still disable voice wake-up.
Disable Bixby voice wake-up ("Hi Bixby")
This stops Bixby from listening for the "Hi Bixby" voice command. The Bixby button will still work if you press it, but the assistant will not activate when you say the wake phrase.
Steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap Apps (or Applications on older phones).
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Show system apps.
- Find and tap Bixby.
- Tap Permissions.
- Find Microphone and tap it.
- Select Don't allow.
Bixby will no longer respond to voice commands. If you ever want to use voice again, return to this same menu and select Allow.
Remap or disable the Bixby button
The physical Bixby button on the side of your phone can be remapped to launch a different app, or disabled entirely. This is the fastest way to stop accidentally triggering Bixby.
On newer Samsung phones (Galaxy S10 and later):
- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features.
- Tap Bixby key.
- Choose Open Bixby, Open Google Assistant, Open Camera, or Open apps.
- If you select Open apps, choose which app you want the button to launch.
If you want the button to do nothing, select Open apps and then do not choose any app — this leaves the button inactive.
On older Samsung phones (Galaxy S9 and earlier):
These phones do not have a button remap option in settings. Instead, you can disable the button by holding it down for three seconds until you see a popup asking if you want to turn off the Bixby button. Tap Yes. The button will remain disabled until you turn it back on the same way.
Turn off Bixby entirely
If you want to disable both the button and voice wake-up at once, you can turn off Bixby from the app settings.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select Show system apps.
- Find and tap Bixby.
- Tap Disable (or Turn off on some phones).
Bixby will stop responding to the button and voice commands. The app remains on your phone but will not run in the background. You can re-enable it the same way if you change your mind.
What to do if you cannot find the Bixby settings
Some Samsung phones have Bixby settings in a separate Bixby app rather than in the main Settings menu. If you cannot find the options above, try this instead.
- Open the Bixby app directly (look for it in your app drawer).
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots) in the top left or right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Look for Voice wake-up, Bixby button, or Bixby voice and toggle them off.
The exact menu names vary by phone model and Android version, but the settings are always grouped near the top of the Bixby app menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling Bixby slow down my phone?
No. Turning off Bixby or disabling voice wake-up does not improve performance noticeably, but it also does not harm it. Bixby uses minimal resources when you are not actively using it.
Can I use Google Assistant instead of Bixby?
Yes. You can remap the Bixby button to open Google Assistant, and you can set Google Assistant as your default voice assistant by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Assistant and selecting Google Assistant. Both assistants can run on the same phone.
What if I press the Bixby button by accident and I have disabled it?
If you remapped the button to another app, that app will launch instead. If you disabled the button entirely, nothing will happen when you press it. Either way, Bixby will not open.
Does disabling Bixby affect Samsung Pay or other Samsung features?
No. Bixby is a separate app from Samsung Pay, Samsung Health, and other Samsung services. Disabling Bixby does not affect any other features on your phone.
Can I delete Bixby instead of just disabling it?
You cannot uninstall Bixby on most Samsung phones because it is a system app. Disabling it achieves the same result — it stops running and will not appear on your phone. If you re-enable it later, it will be there unchanged.